FULL TERM..This Time Around as a "STM"

If any of you have ever joined a pregnancy app or forum, the first time you log on you almost need an interpreter with all the abbreviations these moms use.  FTM, STM, TTC, LO, DH...the list goes on and on. When I was pregnant with Briggs, after a few weeks and a lot of google searches, I finally caught on to the lingo- usually pretty easy to figure out. In this instance, STM simply means Second Time Mom.

So as a STM at 38 weeks, I am at a totally different place than I was as a "FTM". At 37 weeks with Briggs, I was miserable. Looking back now, it was completely mental. I am still feeling all the physical ailments I did last time- but I'm embracing it and letting my body do its work. As a FTM, I was not used to Braxton Hicks contractions. I thought every time they started up again, I was going into labor. That is...until real labor began. When my sister asked me how to tell the difference in contractions, I told her BH contractions were like thunder and true contraction were lightning. You can certainly tell the difference.

Now I sit here and trust my body. My birth plan this time around is to go all natural- no epidural. However, I am a sound believer on doing what is best for the baby. If an epidural or even a c-section is best, I trust the Lord that He will lead us in the right direction to deliver a sweet healthy baby- because after all, isn't this our ultimate goal?

For the record though, the latest labor update at 37.4 which was my last OB check-up, I am dilated to 2 and 50% effaced. The baby could decide to put me into active labor like... now or 3 weeks from now. Either way, its okay. I have a toddler dressed as a lion to take to soccer class right now. I'm certainly not twiddling my thumbs.

Baby 2, whenever you are ready to make your debut, we are too. Until then, your brother has some "roaring" to do.

P.S. Baby, please don't be mad if your nursery isn't complete yet- we have a whole house we are still unpacking. I promise you will have a warm place to sleep. <--This is another example of the STM mindset I have learned to accept. Love is enough.

A Housewarming Baby Sprinkle

It's amazing how quickly you become "out of the loop" in newborn world. When I went with my sister to help her register for her baby showers, the Buy Buy Baby rep asked if I was registered yet. I guess she assumed I was pregnant. Lucky guess. This time. I told her I was pregnant with my second so I wouldn't be having a shower. I have all the necessities. Then she told me how a lot of second time moms have "sprinkles". A miniature shower with a small group of family and friends- love it!

With a one-month-old in tow, my sister and mom organized a lovely housewarming/baby sprinkle for us. It was perfect. We are now restocked on diapers, neutral apparel, a new swing and even a few presents for the big brother.

Thank you all who attended and sprinkled Baby 2 with love. A special thank you to my sister, mom and dad who planned and provided the food as well. It was such a wonderful day to stop and celebrate this little one!

A Maternity Photo Shoot for Baby 2

At 34 weeks into Baby Two's pregnancy, we had our maternity photography session with the very talented Loree Alayne Photography. We met at Beasley's Orchard and Briggs could not have been more excited about all the "punkanns".

When I went to Loree's house for my ordering session, I couldn't help but cry. I was completely overwhelmed by HIS grace. These pictures incapsulated such a special time in our lives. I'm incredibly in love with my hard working, witty and loving husband. Plus, life with this amazing little boy is so incredible. And to think, we are multiplying this feeling in a few weeks with another...I cannot fathom the blessings. What a beautiful life we live- I am soaking up every.single.moment.

Kinsie's Newborn Photos

My sister asked me to take Kinsie's newborn photos before Little Miss was even born. I love photography and am learning more and more every day. I was happy to take Kara's maternity pictures because there was less pressure, I guess. However, I have never done a newborn session and I know how stressful Briggs's session was (at least from a mother's view).

Newborns do not sleep through photography shoots. Period. They do not let you put them in positions that you see on Pinterest, they are hungry as soon as you want to begin and they always pee as soon as you take the diaper off. I remember by the end of Briggs's session I was literally sweating because I didn't want to take up any more of our sweet photographer's time. 

From the photographer's standpoint, I honestly didn't mind if I had to be there all day. I just didn't want Kara to stress out if I wasn't able to get any great shots. But with a lot of cooperation and patience, we were able to capture some beautiful moments of my precious niece. I know Kara was happy which was the ultimate goal.

Here are a few of my favorites:

She has quickly promoted herself to one of the loves of my life. I love you always, baby girl! I'm so glad I can be a part of so many of your precious moments!

Fourth Quarter Frenzy

I always preach that you have to purposefully slow life down and enjoy the moment. The month of September has really challenged me in practicing what I preach.

This month, we have officially reached 30 weeks! 10 more until our due date.
HOW?

In the meantime, we have had a wedding scheduled every weekend (which were all a ball), we closed and moved out of our house on Abundance, we temporarily moved in with my parents, we welcomed a new niece- Miss Kinsie Kay, all while raising a creative, hilarious and energetic toddler. Oh yes, I'm also still working full time.

It would be so easy to get caught up in all these major life events, however, those big brown eyes stop me in my tracks every time. He helps me stop and breathe and enjoy who he is right now.

He reminds me to not stress about everything I have to plan and do while fighting the urge to nest a home that we don't have possession of yet. He has uttered the phrase "love you" for the first time this month. How can you not stop and just melt after hearing those words for the first time?

He reminds me that although its all happening at once, all of these major events are wonderful things. He helps me find the joy in the small things too. I have made it a priority not to miss any of his music or soccer classes. I love our time together then because I put my phone and planning book (more like binder) away and just focus on my growing toddler.

They say your life gets crazier and more hectic when kids come along. However, who are the real culprits of making life so chaotic? Kids just want to be present with you. So mommy, put your distractions down and just be.

Big Brother loving "Baby" at 30 Weeks

Blessings In Abundance

The Robinson family likes to live their life with the underlying theme of "go big or go home." You know, live life to the fullest...er...in abundance. So we had decided to pack in as many life milestones as possible into one month. Some may think we are ambitious, some may think we are psycho. It's probably a healthy combination of both.

Especially with Bebe 2 coming this fall, we knew that we needed more space. Once we received the accepted offer, we had a little over 3 weeks to close and move out (and into my parents' house since we wouldn't get possession of our new home for an additional month). I tried to be as proactive as possible in packing, arranging movers, etc. to make the transition easier. I knew that I may be a little emotional leaving our first house, but I way underestimated those pesky pregnancy hormones.

On the day before closing, we were moving out all the large furniture. My mom came to pick up Briggs to take him home and put him in his crib since we would no longer have beds there. As I was taking Briggs to each room to say "bye bye" for the last time, I started balling. I realize this was way harder on me than on him- but it was still very emotional knowing this would be his last time there.

So on September 20, we officially closed on our house on Abundance Lane (how great is that name?) that we have called home for the past four years. This was our first home we purchased as husband and wife. This was where we brought our first born baby home to start our life as a family of three. We have grown closer here thanks to blessings in abundance.

After closing, we had 24 hours before we officially handed over possession to the new owners (who were great by the way and made the transaction way easier on this mama). Ryan and I wanted to give them the keys the next morning rather than the evening, so we stayed at the house until about 1:00am to finish up cleaning and tying up loose ends.

I was still pretty emotional leaving that late night but then God had a way of making me completely lose my train of thought with this particular milestone...

My sister calls me at 2:00am. She was in labor. I was going to meet my sweet Kinsie Kay that day...which again, brings us back full circle to Blessings in Abundance.

The Well-Rounded Toddler

I have to have a little brag sesh for my Briggy Boy real quick. I am so PROUD of him. Around 18 months, I was started to get really concerned with his separation anxiety. He would not willingly go to anyone besides myself, Ryan and my parents.

So Ryan and I started brainstorming and we decided to enroll him in a couple of programs that 18+ month olds can participate in. We just finished his 4th week with Kindermusik. You would think that he was a completely different kid compared to week 1. I'm not sure if its his involvment, his age, or just us constantly working with him, but his social and fine motor skills have grown exponentially in just a few short weeks. He went from never leaving my lap, to knowing and singing all the songs, dancing, putting toys away and interacting with the other toddlers. This mama is so proud. Kindermusik- worth. every. dime.

The second program we started last week was Lil Kickers. This is a soccer program to help develop social and motor skills. Although we have only gone one week, Briggs quickly learned how to a kick a ball (his instinct is to pick it up and throw it-natural baseball player perhaps?), stack cones, and run through an obstacle course with mommy. He still has a lot to master but I still believe this is going to be a great developmental program for him.

Lastly, his vocabulary has increased by 100000 times (exaggerating) the last month! He went from knowing about 15 words to knowing over 100+. (Not exaggerating). It started out with a lot of mimicking but soon I realized that he could actually comprehend what the word meant. He is like a sponge- all he wants to do is learn new words and read more books. This morning when I was changing his diaper, I asked him to point to his eyes, nose, mouth, ears, toes, knees, tummy and head. (I never specifically went over knees, tummy or head- but he KNEW them without me pointing to them first!) So two things to pick up on here for mommy and daddy- 1.) Be careful with EVERYTHING we talk about in front of him now. Not only will he repeat what we say, but there is a chance he could UNDERSTAND what we are saying. 2.) Continue to find resources to stimulate and teach him. I never want to be satisfied in what he knows. He has always been a very verbal kid- so I want to continue to help him expand what he is capable of at every walk of life.

Who would have thought program involvement was so crucial at just a year and a half? But I have WITNESSED results in such a short amount of time. I am not an expert with early child development.  However, being so astonished at what he can pick up, I am now challenging myself  to learn how to help the development in all aspects of this growing little toddler's life.

What programs or activities have helped your toddler skills develop?